The work presented here is closely connected to studies on the evolution and ecology of Palearctic bird populations. My contribution to this field was to study genetic variation of different levels of phylogenetic hierarchy in Parids.
The first aim was to set a phylogenetic framework for the Parids using DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Such information provides a background for conducting more detailed population level studies.
The second aim of the work was to examine genetic variability and population structure in three species, the willow tit (Parus montanus), the great tit (P. major) and the blue tit (P. caeruleus) by using mitochondrial control region sequences. One of the main reasons for choosing these species was that they are well studied ecologically, which is essential when conclusions are made from genetic data. I addressed the following specific questions:
are the populations structured geographically?
what is the amount of gene flow between the sampled populations?
what is the amount of genetic variation within the populations and between the populations?
how did the post-glacial colonisation affect the present population structures?